Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-12-16

our only possible defense. We therefore
resolved that we would say, when ex-
alnined, t,laf we had been appointed by
our officers to serve under man whom
we had never seen, but whom Ne sup
posed to be an officer from some other
regiment or brigade; that the nature Of
our service was not clearly made known
to Us further than it was to destroy some
line Of communications in the enemy's
country: that we were in citizens clothing
only that we might not alarm the citizens
among whom We were to travel; that We
did not see any pickets Of the enemy or
pass them at any point; that we were in
no camp: that we supposed our expedi-
tom to be within the rules OF war and
ourselves entitled to protection a. prison
ers of war: that we had obeyed Andrews
as we considered ourselves bound in duty
to do; and that IL we made false repre-
sensations, it was only what we were led
to do by fear Of discovery. we were not
to say anything about Campbell being only
citizen; and were to refuse under all Cir
cumstanees to tell who our engineer was.
Admitting that we were under the or
dcrs Of Andrews would not In the least
erabarrass him, for this much could be
proved from what he was actually seen to
do on the train, and he had already de-
cIared as much when captured. But we
never revealed anything that would throw
light on bis employment as spy In our
service Tile story which we thus planned
to tell was so closely adhered to that the
enemy never learned that we were volun-
tcer5 and intelligent participants in the
enterprise.
None of US knew just the line OF de-
tense taken by Andrews, or upon what he
based the hopes he did, certainly, to some
extent, entertain; but the following Is the
most probable:
lie was known to the southerners as a
blockade runner. This trade, if he could
only persuade the Fedcrals TO permit it,
was Of great advantage to the Confeder-
ates He might afford to do good deal
for the Fetlerals, and the balance of adj
vantage be still on the Confederate side.
Now he claimed that he was offered by
Gen. Mitchell, who greatly wanted an en-
zine, the privilege Of trading south to the
extent Of 50, 1000 per month as long as the
war lasted, on the simple condition that
he would seize an engine and carry it
through, he mitchell supplying the men
for the enterprise. Andrews did disclaim
to the enemy that he intended to burn any
bridges, or do any harm beyond the COM
paratively trifiing one of carrying off this
engine.
The defense was but feeble, though it
was possibly as good as could be made
under the circumstances. But the enemy
had no notion that a Federal general like
Mitchell would send his men away down
to the heart of Georgia for an engine,
when, as experience showed, he had been
able to get them by the score in Kentucky
and Alabama.
No decision had been publicly rendered,
when suddenly twelve OF us were ordered
to Knoxville, TeniL Our parting with
Andrews was sad and solemn, for we had
little hope of meeting again, and our
worst forebodings were realized. Before
this we had been removed to Madison,
Ga, under fear of an advance by Gen.
Mitchell; and when We returned the great
indulgence of short daily airing in the
Jail yard was given. On a warm after
noon, when the remaining nine were in
the yard, an unknown officer entered the
gate and went quickly up to Andrews;
without word he handed him paper
contained III II large envelope, and turning
away walked rapidly out of the yard.
Andrews broke the seal and glanced at it,
turning pale as marble. 1t was his death
warrant! All who saw him felt that some
tidings of evil had arrived, and the officer
Of the guard spoke very gently as he told
them that it was now time to retire to
heir room. When there, Andrews gave
his comrades the paper and they read the
fearful intelligence. In one week-July
The was to be executed by hanging!
THIS was Saturday, and on the Saturday
following he was to die!